Picture yourself in a tiny sea side town built on the side of a spectacular, steep coastline. The smell of the sea invades your senses as you wander along narrow paved streets with colourful old buildings all around you. Small wooden fishing boats from the harbour line the side of the street and the salty smell of the sea is replaced by the aroma of fresh coffee as you pass a small cafe. This is exactly what you will find in Vernazza, Italy.
This tiny village is the second of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the north west coast of Italy. From any of the other villages, the town can easily be reached by train, car, or even better, by ferry. When we visited the Cinque Terre, we based ourselves in Monterosso al Mare and caught the ferry to Vernazza, where we planned on hiking on to the next village.
View of Monterosso from the ferry to Vernazza
Approaching Vernazza on the ferry
The town sits in a tiny cove with a peninsula of steep cliffs rising up on the right, and steep coastline on the left that has been terraced to support vineyards and olive groves. In it’s tiny harbour, the town’s wooden fishing boats float peacefully, and a small beach provides the perfect spot for swimming on a hot summer’s day.
We chose one of the seaside cafes as a great place for lunch, and we could sit and look out over the harbour with the colourful town behind it.
The harbour in Vernazza
People swimming in the harbour
From the harbour, Vernazza’s main street heads up the hill through town. The colourful buildings that are typical of the Cinque Terre line the street, along with more of the town’s wooden fishing boats. Shops, cafes and tiny hotels make up most of the street front buildings, with apartments on the upper levels. The main street eventually ends at the train station.
The main street of Vernazza
We had decided to hike one of the trails onto the next town – Corniglia, so we found ourselves wandering up the hill through the tiny alleyways and staircases that lead to the top of town. After several wrong turns and dead ends, we were eventually rewarded with incredible views out across the town. Vernazza is simply picturesque.
Rooftop views as we head to the top of town
View out across Vernazza – Just beautiful!
I could have stayed here all day.
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I walked the Cinque Terre a few years ago (in similar weather to your photos). Your photos bring back great memories of a wonderful walking trail, good Italian food and confectionary-coloured timeless villages.
Mark H recently posted..Aberdeen: A Well Oiled City (Scotland)
Glad to bring back some memories for you Mark. The Cinque Terre seems to leave that sort of impression on people.
Dean Wickham recently posted..The Picturesque Village of Vernazza on the Cinque Terre, Italy
I spent six relaxing nights in Vernazza in the summer of 2000, using the village as a base to see the rest of the Cinque Terre. It’s a beautiful place. I wouldn’t say it’s “easily” reached by car. I remember driving in on a single-lane road with hairpin turns hanging on the sides of hills. It felt like I was in a scene from Romancing the Stone. I was drenched in sweat by the time I reached the village. Maybe the roads have improved since then. I left on the road toward La Spezia, which was somewhat more developed. Still, I’d do it again.
Curt recently posted..Dinner at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas
Hey Curt. You’re right, I probably shouldn’t have said that it’s “easily” reached by car. The roads are certainly a bit hair raising and Italians are notoriously crazy drivers. But it is still an option. Train is definitely the safest way to get around the Cinque Terre.
Dean Wickham recently posted..The Picturesque Village of Vernazza on the Cinque Terre, Italy
I would love to be sitting by the water there right now!
Brock – Backpack With Brock recently posted..Snapshot: Florence, Italy – My First Italian City
I would as well Brock. My mind often wanders back to this beautiful place
Dean Wickham recently posted..The Picturesque Village of Vernazza on the Cinque Terre, Italy
This has my name all over it. Definitely going in my list.
Hey Robyn. Excellent! I highly recommend the trek. It is amazing
written*
Got a little too excited there for a minute.
I’m packing up and going straight there… I’m speaking in my travel dream tongue. Nice shots
I do the same Adam
I’m always heading to these destinations..in my dreams. Cheers
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